Have you ever wondered who can be saved? The answer is found in today’s Gospel story. A rich man asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life? Jesus reminds him what the commandments are, only to have the rich man say, “I’ve kept all these from my youth.” Jesus’ response is a shocking one: “One thing remains for you to do: Sell everything you possess!” This is such a radical response that the people hearing it, including his disciples, ask: “Then who can be saved?” To answer their question, a story about another rich man named Zacchaeus is told. Only this time, the person is not a righteous follower of the law, but a man who is known by all to be a “sinner.” His sin is that he is the chief tax collection, a man who has gotten rich from colluding with the hated Romans and oppressing the Jewish people. But unlike the first rich man, who asked the question about how one can gain eternal life, Zacchaeus is open to the possibility of a new life, a transformed life, a life of hospitality and generosity and “glorifying God.”

Appearances can deceive us. Everything about the first rich man suggested the utmost piety. He’d followed all the commandments from the time he was a child. He was pious to the core. Yet he lacked one thing – the willingness to change his heart, and the longing to embrace a new way of living in total trust of God. We are told that he went away sad. At the same time, everything about Zacchaeus suggested corruption and wickedness. Yet he so wanted to see Jesus, he was so on fire to discover a new approach to life, that he almost made of fool out of himself by climbing a tree to get a glimpse of Jesus even though he was very short. And after he was able to see and to hear, he climbed down and enthusiastically welcomed Jesus into his home and into his heart. In fact, he was so changed by this experience that he promised to give away half his wealth and make restitution to anyone he cheated. Here is a rich man filled with joy! This Jesus tells us, is the answer to the question “Who can be saved?” Those who have a free and generous heart; those who do not allow themselves to become consumed by their possessions. Zacchaeus was saved that day because, although he was a little man, he had a giant heart!

Have a blessed week!

Fr Don

Time for a reality check! Do you remember Fr. Mark’s homily this past spring on prayer and learning HOW to pray? Did you take a copy of the book “Prayer for Beginners” that was provided in the narthex that weekend? Many did….we ran out and had to order more! So, how is your prayer life going?

The story in Luke’s gospel today invites us to examine our prayer by comparing the prayer of the two men praying at the temple. Both leave the temple and probably looked the same to anyone going into the temple. One man, the tax collector, left a changed person in right relationship with God. The other, the Pharisee was not. He aimed his prayer at himself and his accomplishments rather than in awe, humility, and gratitude toward God. Yet in the eyes of his contemporaries, the Pharisee would have been considered an exemplary spiritual model. Tax collects on the other hand, were considered suspect, dishonest, thieving people, the least respected of society. Everything the Pharisee said in his prayer was true. He fasted twice a week while only one day a year was required by the law. He tithed on everything he owned. The law required a tithe only of the produce of crops and flocks. When we examine the Pharisee’s pious self-assurance through the lens of the Good News of Jesus, we can see that he missed the mark first by being so sure of his own merits and achievements, and second by failing to credit God, the source of his blessings. The tax collector did recognize God as the source of all good and asked only for God’s compassion and forgiveness.

Authentic prayer produces change – not in God, but in ourselves. Raymond Brown, an eminent Scripture scholar, once said that if no change occurs as a result of prayer, then one has not really prayed. Today, as we leave this Eucharistic celebration, we will each look pretty much the same as we looked coming in. The change in us, precipitated by our prayer, will become obvious in the coming week with its ups and downs, joys and sorrows, successes and frustrations. Whether or not we have experienced change as a result of our prayer, and whether or not that change can be sustained, will depend upon the renewing power of our daily prayer and daily service of others.

Have a Blessed Week!

Fr Don

I am away this weekend on my fall vacation to…….you guessed it! I am in beautiful Sonoma County California tasting new altar wines and visiting friends. My 10-day visit also gives Fr. Sean Rogers the pastor and only priest at St. John the Baptist Church in Healdsburg the opportunity to get away for a break, as I will celebrate the weekday and weekend Masses while I am there. This vacation is also kind of a “last fling” for gastronomical delights. When I get back from vacation, I need to embrace some major lifestyle changes in my eating and activity habits. Prior to leaving on vacation, I had my annual physical. My doctor was not happy with my weight and results of some of my blood tests. By AMA standards, I am morbidly obese! Five years ago, I wore 38-inch waist pants. Today it is 46! My doctor said he would like to see me live to reach my retirement in 2022, and many years beyond to enjoy it. I would too! When you visit a zoo, there are signs all over that read “Please Do Not Feed the Animals.” I am going to have a sign made “Please Do Not Feed the Pastor!” So, bye-bye to sweets (cake, pie, cookies, candy, flan, concha, anything with added sugar), no fried foods (chips, egg rolls, French fries, etc.), no foods high in sodium (hot dogs, pizza, bacon, sausage, sandwiches, soup and the list goes on), no carbonated beverages. Three years ago, I had a kidney removed and my protein intake needs to be less, so no dairy (milk, cheese, ice cream) and because of having acid reflux, I should avoid tomatoes, garlic and anything with high acid content. Sounds like I should become a vegan, huh? NO WAY!! I could do vegetarian. I have in the past for short periods. However, the absolute hardest thing for me to cut out of my diet will be bread – ALL bread! And of course, no more McDonald’s, White Castle, etc. Thankfully, my doctor said wine “in moderation” is fine.

The second to address is my lack of exercise. Walking Chardonnay twice daily is not really exercise. She is part hound, and hounds stop every 10 feet to sniff. Fit Shepherds?? Don’t want to embarrass myself. Bike riding? Winter is upon us. I have a membership to the gym across the parking lot, but for the last two years, I’ve been basically making a monthly donation to the Fox Valley Park District!

So, I need your prayers to get motivated and I need your help by not tempting me with your home-made goodies or store bought treats! DON’T FEED THE PASTOR!!

Have a Blessed Week!

Fr Don

This is MercyFest weekend! A time to gather family, friends, and neighbors to enjoy the company of each other and thank God for the gift of our parish, friendship and camaraderie while enjoying food, fun, games and rides provided by Alpine Amusement of Naperville. In the early years of MercyFest, the goal was to raise money for paying down the debt on the church and PLC. We still owe slightly under one million on the PLC, but now the primary goal of MercyFest is building community and bringing parishioners and neighbors together – and just having fun! We even see MercyFest as an evangelization tool! Saturday evening from 7:00pm to 10:00pm is “Light the Night” in church with Eucharistic Adoration and prayer teams. We are out on the grounds with an ALPHA booth and invites!

If we do make some money, that is great! We will donate half to Hesed House and use the rest for purchasing energy efficient lighting for the gym. With profits from the last two years, we were able to purchase new sound equipment for the church and new padding for the kneelers in church.

If you have not been to MercyFest yet, it is not too late. Saturday MercyFest is open from Noon to 10:00pm. Sunday, MercyFest opens following the 10:45am Mass celebrated by our former and retired pastor, Fr. Hugh Fullmer, and closes around 8:00/8:30pm. Do not miss the “All U Can Eat Spaghetti & Meatballs Dinner” on Sunday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm!

We extend our special thanks to all our sponsors this year. Event Sponsor: Napleton’s Valley Hyundai; Platinum Sponsor: Builders Commercial Asphalt Plants; Premiere Sponsors: Klein Construction, Valley View Dental, and Lisa Byrne of Baird & Warner. Your support is deeply appreciated!

I will recognize the MercyFest chair and committee chairs in a future article when I give a report on our success of this year’s MercyFest. In the meantime, come out if you have not, and thanks to all our parishioners and guests who have supported this year’s MercyFest by your presence, volunteering and donations.

Have a blessed week!

Fr Don

The month of October is Respect Life Month. I want to thank all those who participated the 40 Days for Life 24 hour prayer vigil held outside Planned Parenthood. The prayer vigil is from September 25 through November 3. Our Lady of Mercy Parish committed to having parishioners pray at the Planned Parenthood facility on Friday, October 4 for a 24-hour period, praying for aborted children and the end to abortion. So thanks again to everyone who participated, especially in those late night and early morning hours! Thanks to our OLM Pro-Life Committee for organizing our day of prayer.

During respect life month, our bishops call us to understand, value, and help cultivate respect for human life in its entire dimension – from the womb to the tomb. Bishop Joseph F. Naumann, Archbishop of Kansas City, who is chair of the U.S. Bishop’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities writes to all Catholics: “As Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all you do to build a culture of life on a daily basis. Your efforts on behalf of the unborn, the dying, the elderly, the imprisoned, the poor and so many others have a profound impact, both now and in the life to come…While there may be opportunities for decisive political action, we know that to build a true culture of life, we must seek to change hearts and minds. And your witness is essential.”

In addition, the month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. According to an account by fifteenth-century Dominican, Alan de la Roch, Mary appeared to St. Dominic in 1206 after he had been praying and doing severe penances because of his lack of success in combating the Albigensian heresy. Mary praised him for his valiant fight against the heretics and then gave him the Rosary as a mighty weapon, explained its uses and efficacy, and told him to preach it to others. The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is October 7.

Fr. Mark and I request your prayers for us, and all the priests of our diocese, as we will be gone from the afternoon of October 7 to the afternoon of October 10 attending the Joliet Priest Convocation in St. Charles.

Have a blessed week!

Fr Don

Today the Church throughout the United States celebrates “Priesthood Sunday” as a special day to set aside to honor priesthood. It is a day to reflect upon and affirm the role of the priesthood in the life of the Church as a central one. This observance, sponsored by the organization Sera International, specifically honors priests, without whom the Mass could not be offered and Sacraments could not be celebrated.

As the 38th anniversary of my ordination approaches (October 10th), I would like to share with you some reflections on my 38 years of being a priest. From my earliest memories, I always wanted to be a priest. As a child, I would play priest. My altar was a long dresser in my bedroom; tabernacle a spray-painted gold old breadbox; chalice a gold spraypainted jar that my mom’s face cream came in; hosts were either squished mini marshmallows or Nicole candy wafers. Growing up and attending a Catholic grammar school in the 1950/60’s I was enamored with the priests and nuns and the mystery of it all. I enjoyed altar serving and helping around church.

The real call to priesthood came when I was 23. My first response was no way! I had a job and was happy with my life, but God kept nagging. I finally met with a priest about a possible vocation. Remembering past sins and pranks of college days, I told him I did not feel worthy to be a priest. He looked me in straight in the eye and said, “None of us are worthy!” With that, I felt my resistance depart. Accepted for the Diocese of Joliet, I did my seminary studies at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin, and was ordained a priest on October 10, 1981.

In 38 years, I have served eight different parishes in our Diocese. While each of them have their unique identity and special memories for me, each also have had the same incredible love and support that have nourished me in my priesthood. Despite my faults, failings, weaknesses, personality and idiosyncrasies, I have felt so loved and accepted by many. That has been a special joy for me. Bringing even more joy has been the privilege to celebrate the Mass and nourish you with the word of God in my homilies, and the Body and Blood of Jesus who gave his life for us. Being trusted with the darkest secrets and brokenness of those who have come to me for confession has been a most humbling experience. My prayer is that I have always responded with the compassion and mercy of God. Sharing in the happy moments of a baptism, wedding, confirmation, graduation, job promotion, and just families parties has been a blessing. So too, walking the times of sadness and sorrow in parishioners lives has been an honor. So, thanks to everyone who have made these past 38 years ones of great happiness and fulfillment. I still do not know why God called me to be a priest, but I have tried to fulfill that call the best I can.

God Bless All of You!

Fr Don

Last week during the homily, we presented to you our new Vision, Core Values, and Aspirational Values for Our Lady of Mercy Parish. To help us implement these, we need to add a few new members to our Parish Pastoral Council.

The role of the Pastoral Council is to help bring forth the vision of the parish. The focus of the Pastoral Council is to develop broad, visionary strategy for the whole parish over a longer-term period. The council prayerfully discerns how God is calling the parish to fulfill its vision and provides direction on how the parish can best achieve this in a continual process. The Pastoral Council meetings will be every two months for a strategic, workshop style session with the Parish Leadership Team. The Parish Leadership Team is Fr. Don, Fr. Mark, Phil Britton, Zara Tan, and Mary Jo Trapani. These meetings will be on a Saturday morning or afternoon, or Sunday afternoon.

We need people on the Pastoral Council who have the gifts, interest and availability to do big-picture parish strategy work. The ideal Pastoral Council member:

• Has a daily prayer life and is a participating member of Our Lady of Mercy, with an eagerness to carry out the parish vision, and is 16 years old or older.
• Is a passionate visionary thinker and planner. Has skills to address the driving question, “Where are we going and how will we get there?”
• Is committed to the importance of welcoming and inviting parishioners and people in our community to know Jesus, be formed in an ongoing was as a disciple, and sent out on His mission.
• Is excited about what the parish has been doing the past couple of years and the direction in which we are moving.
• Has an availability of time and energy and easily works with groups.

If you fit this description, please consider submitting your name and contact information to frdon@olmercy.com as a possible candidate for our Pastoral Council by October 25th. If you know someone else who fits this description, please encourage them to submit their name as well. A discernment meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 12th at 7:00PM. Please prayerfully consider whether joining the Pastoral Council may be the way you are being called to help bring forth the vision of our parish!

Have a blessed week!

Fr Don

Today the Church throughout the United States celebrates Catechetical Sunday. The words of the disciples on the road to Emmaus when encountering the risen Jesus but not recognizing him, “Stay with us” is the theme for Catechetical Sunday. Catechetical Sunday also gives us the opportunity to say “thank you” to the men, women, and teens who volunteer in our faith formation programs at Our Lady of Mercy. Fr. Mark and I truly appreciate your desire and commitment to sharing our Catholic faith with our children. Guided by our Directors of Religious Education, Mary Jo Trapani, Candy Rice, and Dave Miserendino, our catechists and volunteers receive the support they need to help our children experience Jesus and become missionary disciples. Fr. Mark and I are deeply grateful for the expertize and passion Mary Jo, Candy, and Dave, along with Jean Rehmer and Jean Palasz bring to the Religious Education Program at Our Lady of Mercy.

Stay with us! That is the message I would like to get out to all our parents concerning religious education for their children. We have 1,186 children in our parish between the ages of 5 and 13 – the formative years of faith development. As I write this article, we currently have 475 children of this age group registered to attend our religious education program this fall. Where are the other 711 children??? I know that some are attending Catholic schools, but that still leaves us with a huge number of children not receiving the Good News and coming to know Jesus. We are deeply concerned!!

Parents who have not registered your children in our program, how can we help? Maybe God and church are not a priority in your life at this time. No matter the reason, we want to invite and help you to reconnect. Call me, Fr. Mark or any of the RE staff if you would like to talk. We pray that you feel God tugging at your heart. We want nothing to stand in the way of your children and you experiencing Jesus’ love and mercy. Parents, if you’ve been away from God and/or the Church, we would love to welcome you to try ALPHA. Find out more at alpha@olmercy.com. Help your children discover the goodness of God and the joy of being a part of the family of Our Lady of Mercy. RE classes begin the week of September 23rd. Registration is still open – call the RE office. If you have something holding you back, Fr. Mark and I are more than willing to meet with you to address any issues or concerns you may have. We are here to help!! Call us! Be a part of us! Stay with us!!

Have a Blessed Week!

Fr Don

Numbers don’t tell the whole story!! Inserted in today’s bulletin is a copy of our annual stewardship and financial report. This report covers the fiscal year that began on July 1, 2018 and ended on June 30, 2019. But as I’ve said, numbers and statistics don’t tell the whole story. The people’s lives we have been able to touch and change through the ministries provided through your financial support in the Sunday collection, tell much more of the story!

ALPHA was first introduced in the fall of 2018. Since then, countless souls have grown in understanding and deepening their relationship with God – some for the first time. Today at Mass, you heard Naomi Kibler share her ALPHA experience with you. There are many other stories similar to hers. Many have encounter Jesus in a life changing way. ALPHA has changed the way many understand and experience church and the importance of community. It is not uncommon that those who go through ALPHA develop a much more intentional prayer life and understanding of the Holy Spirit. People who have been away from the church and attend ALPHA have a new enthusiasm for the faith and knowing more about Jesus. Additionally, over 60 parishioners deepened their understanding of the Eucharist by participating in the Bishop Barron Bible Study series on the Eucharist.

Perhaps you saw the cover story in the Diocesan magazine of March 2019 on “Fit Shepherds” at OLM. Guys witnessed to how they have grown spiritually and have become better husbands and fathers. Because of what we are doing at OLM, several parishes have reached out to us for direction on starting a group at their parish.

The volunteers in our St. Vincent de Paul chapter give hope to individuals and families who are struggling to make ends meet, not only by material support, but by personal engaging visits as well. I often get thank you notes from people who have been helped.

I’ve just mentioned a few ways in which some of our ministries have made a difference in people’s lives. I could go on and on about how ALL our parish ministries touch people’s lives, but you get the point. Your gifts of time, talent, and treasure truly make a difference in making our parish one of intentional disciples!

The last two years, I talked at all the Masses, asking you to fill out a commitment card for your financial support. I am not doing that this year, but simply asking you to continue your level of support, and if possible, to increase your support if your means allow. God has been so good to us!

Have a blessed week!

Fr Don

Today’s gospel speaks a lot about being of humble service. Of course all those who minister in the Church, whether ordained or lay persons are called to be of humble service. One of those ordained ministries is that of the permanent diaconate. We currently have three men from our parish studying to be ordained permanent deacons. Doug McIlvaine and Rodney “Bugsy” Sindac have successfully completed the Diaconate Aspirancy Year and will be admitted as candidates for the permanent diaconate at a Mass celebrated on Friday, September 6th at St. Ann Parish in Channahon. We congratulate Doug and “Bugsy”, their wives and families on this step toward ordination. Upon completing their studies and with approval of the bishop, they will be ordained permanent deacons in 2022. Our other candidate for the diaconate, Dr. Tony Leazzo, will receive the ministry of Acolyte at a Mass on October 4th at St. Mary Immaculate in Plainfield. Congratulations to Tony and his family. Upon completion of his studies and with the approval of the bishop, Tony will be ordained a permanent deacon on August 22, 2020. Information about becoming a permanent deacon is on the Diocese of Joliet website – www.dioceseofjoliet.org.

A deacon is an ordained minister of the Church. There are three groups, or “orders” of ordained ministers in the Church: bishops, presbyters (priests), and deacons. All ordained ministers in the Church are called to functions of Word, Sacrament, and Charity, but bishops, presbyters and deacons exercise these functions in various ways. As ministers of Word, deacons proclaim the Gospel, preach, and teach in the name of the Church. As minister of Sacrament, deacons baptize, lead the faithful in prayer, witness marriages, and conduct wake and funeral services. As ministers of Charity, deacons are leaders in identifying the needs of others, then marshaling the Church’s resources to meet those needs. Deacons are also dedicated to eliminating the injustices or inequities that cause such needs. But no matter what specific functions a deacon performs, they flow from his sacramental identity. In other words, it is not only WHAT a deacon does, but HOW a deacon is, that is most important.

I conclude with a word of thanks to our current permanent deacons and their wives for their ministry at OLM. Deacon Bob Vavra (now retired), Deacon Tim Kueper, Deacon Art Tiongson, Deacon Phil Rehmer, Deacon Tony Martini, and Deacon Michael Plese have served our parish well! Let us pray for our deacons and deacon candidates.

Have a blessed week!

Fr Don